Social representations of nursing care as representações

Abstract

Introduction: The origins of care date back to the beginning of humanity, evolving over time through various stages that have paved the way for the professionalization of care as we know it today. Globally, nursing plays a key role in providing care. Its function within the healthcare system is crucial, and it also holds a social image or representation. Objective: To analyze the social representations of nursing care through the perceptions and understanding of the families of patients hospitalized in the ICU of a private institution in Villa Carlos Paz, 2023. Methodology: A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted, involving 54 in-depth interviews with open-ended questions. The first question sought to reveal the knowledge families have about the role of nursing; the second explored the social image families have of the nursing care they receive; and the third question focused on understanding how families perceive the relationships they establish with nurses. Results: The following dimensions emerged: the nursing role (basic care, emotional support, nursing accompanies the beginning and end of life, and nursing is prepared), the image of nursing (importance of nursing work, subordinated care, nursing as a profession, and nursing from experience), and the nursing-family relationship (feelings and expectations). Discussion: The results obtained were interpreted by comparing them with current scientific knowledge from various authors, such as Henderson (Rodríguez León, 2022), who presents a similarity with the category of basic nursing care in relation to his care model. Conclusion: This study presents the interpretation of two social representations, emphasizing them based on nursing as an auxiliary role and as a profession.